E-ISSN 2240-0524
ISSN 2239-978X
Journal of Educational and
Social Research
Vol 7 No 3
September 2017
139
Research Article
© 2017 Olajide et.al.
This is an open access article licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Assessment of Laboratory Resources, Teachers’ and Students’
Involvement in Practical Activities in Basic Science in
Junior Secondary Schools in Osun State Nigeria
Simeon Olayinka Olajide
Institute of Education,
Obafemi Awolowo University University,Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Thomas Ajibade Adebisi
Department of Science and Technology Education
Obafemi Awolowo University University,Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Tosin Adebola Tewogbade
Institute of Education,
Obafemi Awolowo University University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Doi: 10.1515/jesr-2017-0011
Abstract
The study assessed the availability of laboratory resources, teachers’ and students’ involvement in practical
activities in Basic Science in junior secondary schools in Osun State Nigeria. These were with a view to
ascertain the availability of laboratory resources in the teaching of Basic Science in junior secondary
schools and the involvement of teachers and students to practical activities in the state. The study
employed a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of all Basic Science
teachers, facilities for teaching Basic Science and all junior secondary school II students in Osun State. Ten
schools were selected from each senatorial district through simple random sampling technique, from each
school, ten students from JSSII were also randomly selected through simple random sampling technique to
take part in the study. Basic Science teachers found in the schools were purposively used for the study
because of their discipline and numbers. The facilities for the research were also purposively selected
based on a must for teacher to use in the course of their teaching. Three instruments were used for data
collection. They are: Observation Checklist for Basic Science Laboratory Facilities (OCBSLF),
Questionnaire for Teachers on Teachers Involvement in Practical Activities (QTTIPA) and Students’
Questionnaire on Basic Science Laboratory Facilities (SQBSLF). Data collected were analyzed through
simple percentages. The results of the study showed that 14(40.0%) schools indicated that beakers, boiling
tubes, conical flask and cylinder are available while 21(60.0%) schools indicated that beakers, boiling
tubes, conical flask and cylinder are not available, 10(28.6%) schools indicated that flat bottom flasks are
available while 25(71.4%) schools indicated they are not available, 11(31.4%) schools indicated that round
bottom flasks are available while 24(68.6%) schools indicated they are not available, 8(22.9%) schools
indicated that hand lenses are available while 27(77.1%) schools indicated they are not available, 7(20.0%)
schools indicated that Ammeters are available while 28(80.0%) schools indicated they are not available,
9(25.7%) schools indicated that Resistance box are available while 26(74.3%) schools indicated they are
not available, 3((8.57%) schools indicated that plastic mammalian models (heart ,eye, ear, and skeleton)
and First Aid box (fully equipped) 3((8.57%) are available while 32(91.3%) schools indicated that they not
available, 1(2.86%) schools indicated that Meter Rule, Rheostats, Connecting wires, Spatula are available
while 34(97.4%) schools indicated they are not available. The results of the study showed that on the
average teachers did not use laboratory facilities to teach the students and students are rarely involved in
practical activities in schools. The study concluded that laboratory resources are not available to teach
students Basic Science in junior secondary school level.
Keywords: Basic Science, laboratory resources, teachers’ involvement, students’ involvement, practical activities